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This is; IMO, the Colts first opportunity to win a game this year. Although with Freeney and Reitz out and Austin Collie doubtful the chances are still slim. It is believed that Trai Essex will not be starting this week so we'll see Seth Olsen at LG again. Winston Justice returned to practice Thursday but he is listed as questionable.

Oh boy...I was hoping Freeney would be ok to play. I'm worried about Rudolph...he might kill us over the middle over and over.

Harvin is a great receiver underneath and over the middle, he will be another receiver that the Colts need to hold in check.

Just a few areas of struggle for the Vikes:

3rd down defense - MN had a hard time getting off the field against the Jags in the first half, who relied on the short passing game. I could see the Colts having some success with Reggie Wayne and Coby Fleener.

TE coverage - The Vikes safetys are very young, if you can get Fleener down the seam and confuse the coverage assignments, I think that is a favorable matchup for you guys.

RT Phil Loadholt vs Robert Mathis - Loadholt is terrible against speed rushers, MN will be using lots of TEs on his side to chip Mathis.

Interior Pass Rush - the Vikes struggled to get push inside against the Jags, Gabbert often had a clean pocket to step into to avoid the rush of the DEs, who will be bringing a lot of heat.

Linebacker coverage - this directly relates to the Jags ability to move the ball underneath last week. Greenway isnt reliable in coverage, Brinkley is too lumbering to cover and Erin Henderson is a better down hill player than a coverage player. Attack the Vikes LBs in the passing game, there will be some favorable matchups for Indy.

Downfield passing game - MN struggled to open up its downfield passing game in the first half last week. MN doesnt have much downfield targets out of Rudolph and sometimes Harvin (he is often inconsistent downfield). The Vikes will either play it safe like last week and not take many shots downfield, or they could look to Devin Aromshodu for a big play. Aromshodu is capable of making a 20+ yard catch and getting chunks of yards.

Some of the Vikes strengths:

Running game - Peterson and the Oline really looked good last week, I would be concerned if I were Indy.

Underneath passing game - Harvin, Rudolph and Jenkins are a lot to contend with, they all are capable of moving the chains.

Pressure - Should be lots of pressure from Allen and Robison, but the Vikes need the interior line to step up.

Secondary play - Both Safetys had a strong showing last week for MN, and the CBs looked allright. The Vikes really didnt give up any big plays in the passing game against Jax, outside of the last second TD to Shorts. Either the vikes secondary is much better compared to last year, or they took advantage of a young QB. Might not have an answer to this question having to face Andrew Luck.

Special teams - the Vikes have a dangerous return game with Harvin. Rookie Blair Walsh has a huge leg and should drive most kickoffs for TBs. Chris Kluwe is one of the best punters in the league.

The wildcard of course is always Christian Ponder, if he is able to play smart and take what the defense gives him, I think he will be fine. However, if Ponder starts forcing things and making bad decisions, the Vikes probably wont stand a chance of winning. Ponder has a bad habit of making a bad decision and then a snowball affect ensues where he continues to make bad decisions. When he is off, he is really off and doesnt seem to recover.

Didn't have a chance to catch any of last weeks game, but getting ot see this entire game thankfully. Sweet start by the offense. I can't beleive how poised Andrew looks already. He has no hesitations. This is exciting to see.

Jerrell Freeman is such a beast. When Angerer returns the Colts will have a nice problem figuring out who amongst the MLBs they will start between Angerer, Connor and Freeman_________________Colts/Badgers/Brewers/Bucks